Saturday, November 19, 2011

Greetings and salutations everybody and welcome to a special edition of Phil's Film Adventures. Today I decided to do something completely different, and as a result, I am going Porno Chic for today's review. For those of you may not know this term, it refers to a time when it seemed okay to go out and see a "dirty movie" at your local theatre. Couples were going, along with groups of women, curious as to what the clamour was all about. Causing all this clamour was the film DEEP THROAT, an adult film that was released on June 12, 1972 at the World Theatre in Manhattan. In early 1973, a news article about the film appeared on the New York Times. Written by reporter Ralph Blumenthal and using the phrase "Porno Chic" for its title, it helped usher in what has been coined "The Golden Age of Pornography," which lasted between 1972-1984. Following on the heels of the film's success came a plethora of adult films that are now considered classics among its peers; films like THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES, BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR, THE OPENING OF MISTY BEETHOVEN, TABOO, INSATIABLE, and MARASCHINO CHERRY are true works of art, blending eroticism and avant-garde style filmmaking that represented and reflected the culture and society of that time. However with the invention of the VCR, adult theatres became a thing of the past and soon couples were renting and watching these films in the privacy of their home. Also with the home camcorder, adult films switched from being shot on film to on tape, thus bringing down the production values, rendering it to low grade (and often low quality) product that was mass produced. As a result, quantity replaced quality.

With the new millennium came new technologies, which the adult film industry used to upgrade their films. Combining high quality HD cameras and digital special effects with solid scripts and fine acting, adult films have once again come full circle; combining eroticism and storytelling to create contemporary works of art. All of this has lead me to Wicked Picture's new film HORIZON, the most ambitious science fiction film ever made in the adult industry.

Original Cover Artwork (2011)

Set in the year 2097 CE, the planet Earth has been invaded by an alien civilization that has brought mankind on the eve of extinction. About on-third of the planet's 9 billion inhabitants are dead and roughly 2 billion more have been rescued and sent to a hidden military base that is buried in the core of the planet Mercury. However, the remaining 4 billion lives still on Earth are predicted to perish within the next 48hrs. To thwart the alien invasion from reaching other planets and other solar systems, Captain Beth Ezra (Wicked Picture's contract star Jessica Drake) and her her crew aboard the military space cruiser the Horizon are sent to return to Earth for one last stand. But is it a mercy mission or an act of genocide? With billions of lives hanging in the balance, the stakes are high for the crew of the Horizon.

This is not your ordinary, run of the mill, adult film. Boasting an incredibly talented cast, a great futuristic script, amazing special effects, fantastic cinematography, and scorching sex scenes, the film raises the bar extremely high that other films will be hard press to reach, let alone achieve. Wicked Pictures specializes in producing high quality films for couples to enjoy together, and they keep their promise with this beautifully made, big-budgeted film!

Right at the beginning of the film, you know that this not your father's porno. In the film's opening when we see a spaceship flying high above Earth. This is very reminiscent to the opening of the original STAR WARS (1977), and just like what that opening did, it sets the pace and tone of the film. Ghastly alien creatures called Crawlers wreck havoc on the Earth's surface, irradiating the human race. This combination of spectacular CGI and creature make-up gives the film a look and feel of a high gloss, big budgeted Hollywood film. However unlike some of those supposed sci-fi films (i.e. LOST IN SPACE, BATTLEFIELD: EARTH to name a few) this film really provides the entertainment in spades.

Drake is amazing as the stern and determined Capt. Ezra, who will stop at nothing to complete her mission, even if it includes harming her own crew in the process. Also worth noting are Kaylani Lei and Bobbi Starr, whose characters are domestic partners in the film (is this foreshadowing as to what might happen in our present day military? Well let's hope we can get same sex marriage legalized first, but let's keep our fingers crossed still). These two actresses portray their love for one another is such a beautiful display of affection that we care about them and hope they survive their dangerous mission. Kimberly Kane is also great as Emily, who inadvertently becomes the link between mankind's survival or its demise.

The film was written and directed by Sam Hain, who does a tremendous job creating such an instant classic! Skillfully directed using the new Red Epic camera system, showcasing that he really is a talented film director; interesting camera angles, fast paced action sequences, up-close drama tensions, combined with a tight, action packed, sex infused script, and you have all hallmarks of a blockbuster on your hands!

Now you're probably waiting patiently, thinking to yourselves, "OK, all this sounds great, but Phil, how are the sex scenes?" Well I'm glad you asked, so here it is: They're hot! Damn hot! First Misty Stone and her beau Bailey have a steamy shower sex scene (the only thing I didn't like about it was the water coming out of the shower was CGI. As to why they did this I do not know, but maybe they were afraid of getting the Red Epic camera wet, so this is my theory), then the ultra sexy Alektra Blue has a scorching three way with Mountain and Corvus (one of my personal favorite scenes of the film). Kane and her scene with De Sergio is also hot, but the next scene with Kaylani and Bobbi is erotic lesbian heaven (and is my other favorite sex scene of the film)! Next up we finally get to see Drake's Capt. Ezra get down and dirty in an insatiable scene with Reed, and the last scene is for the ladies, with Kane returning once more with another hot scene, this time a trice with the sultry Aiden Starr in the film's other enticing lesbian scene!

HORIZON is one of the best action packed, sexually charged, science fiction films ever to come out of the adult industry! If you still have that same, stereotypical pizza delivery boy scenario stuck in your head, best you remove that image immediately. The film goes beyond the category of being label as just another porno. If you don't believe me, let me tell you this quick story: the film had its premiere back in September, where it was held at the Landmark Theatres in Westwood, California, complete with a fascinating and insightful Q&A with the cast and crew, as well as a lavish afterparty! And if that still doesn't impress you, it was also screened at USC Santa Barbara, where again some of the cast and crew participated in a Q&A. So do yourself a favor, if you and your loved one want to see a film that is both entertaining and erotic as hell, then HORIZON is the perfect film the both of you will enjoy!

HORIZON is currently available in a special edition DVD/Blu-Ray Combo set. To purchase a copy, visit the Adult DVD Empire website at www.adultdvdempire.com. To learn more about Wicked Pictures and their films, visit their website at www.wickedpictures.com

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About This Film Loving Hunk of a Guy

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. I attended De Anza College in Cupertino were I studied film history and filmmaking. I've written film reviews for publications like Marina Gazette, Fangoria, Dark Beauty Magazine and Blumhouse.com. I've appeared on the local television show Miss Misery's Movie Massacre doing horror movie reviews. Look for me in the front row at your local movie theater. See you then!